Even though our long-term xB's front-seat legroom has increased by 4.6 inches over the previous model's, the lack of a telescope function for the steering wheel suggests that this vehicle was designed with shorter-legged Japanese physiques in mind.
Once I'd slid the driver's seat all the way back, the legroom did prove adequate for my moderately gangly 6'1" frame on a two-hour trek to Red Rock Canyon State Park yesterday. However, I found that I had to extend my arms to their fullest, all but locking my elbows, in order to reach the top of the steering wheel. I also noticed that my left elbow hung off the back of the door-mounted armrest (which was actually just as well -- talk about hard plastic!). Despite the added legroom, it's like the xB's engineers didn't seriously think that someone of my dimensions would end up driving the car.
It doesn’t help matters that the Scion folks elected to endow the xB's steering wheel with a buslike rake, even at the lowest tilt position. With the American market in mind, they could have at least permitted the long of leg (or short of arm) to tilt the wheel down farther so that the top would swing more into reach.
But you know, I actually don't mind that the xB's tiller conjures up images of yellow buses from my youth. It adds a bit of box-on-wheels character to the generally carlike driving experience. Too bad I can't reach the confounded thing.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 14,138 miles
But you know, I actually don't mind that the xB's tiller conjures up images of yellow buses from my youth. It adds a bit of box-on-wheels character to the generally carlike driving experience. Too bad I can't reach the confounded thing.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 14,138 miles
ahightower says:
11:39 AM, 03/10/08
$3.69... ouch.
sumimasen says:
11:55 AM, 03/10/08
many of the current Toyota and Toyota-based products have the same problem with the steering wheel reach. Corolla, Matrix, Vibe...
bankerdanny says:
01:59 PM, 03/10/08
This doens't have anything to do with the post per se. But a couple weeks back I rode in an xB taxi here in Chicago.
It was more comfortable than any Crown Vic based cab I have ridden in. Even with the center partition I had adequate leg room (I am 6-4) and foot room (size 12/13) which is frequently not the case. Plus, the seat bottom is relatively high off the floor, so my knees weren't near ear height, which they often are in cabs.
The car seemed to perform well and accelerated smoothly from red lights. Overall a very pleasant experience.
The driver says he gets about 18 mpg, compared to 11/12 in the Vic, and saves $10-$15 per day in fuel cost.
billt9 says:
08:16 PM, 03/10/08
"The driver says he gets about 18 mpg"
Haha, taxi driver style instant acceleration and stops.
karjunkie says:
09:06 AM, 03/11/08
Is that Bultaco for sale? LOL. Anyway, I don't understand why all modern cars don't have telescoping steering. If I remember correctly, my first car, a 1960 MGA, had telescoping steering and it was hardly an "advanced" design!
bankerdanny says:
08:19 PM, 03/11/08
still 18 mpg is 50% better than what they would get otherwise.